RRC ID |
46478
|
Author |
Zanetti S, Grinschgl S, Meola M, Belfiore M, Rey S, Bianchi P, Puoti A.
|
Title |
The sperm-oocyte switch in the C. elegans hermaphrodite is controlled through steady-state levels of the fem-3 mRNA.
|
Journal |
RNA
|
Abstract |
Post-transcriptional control regulates many aspects of germline development in the Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodite. This nematode switches from spermatogenesis to oogenesis and is, therefore, capable of self-fertilization. This sperm-oocyte switch requires 3' UTR-mediated repression of the fem-3 mRNA. Loss of fem-3 repression results in continuous spermatogenesis in hermaphrodites. Although several factors regulating fem-3 have been identified, little is known about the mechanisms that control fem-3. Here, we investigate the steady-state levels of the fem-3 transcript and the expression pattern of its protein product. We show that FEM-3 is exclusively present in germ cells that are committed to spermatogenesis. We found that in fem-3(gf)/+ heterozygotes, mutant fem-3 gain-of-function transcripts are more abundant than their wild-type counterpart. Furthermore, we show that the penetrance of the fem-3(gf) allele correlates with inefficient FBF binding and extended poly(A) tail size of fem-3 mRNAs. Finally, we show that wild-type and gain-of-function mutated fem-3 mRNAs associate equally well with polyribosomes. We propose that the fem-3 mRNA is regulated through stabilization rather than through translatability.
|
Volume |
18(7)
|
Pages |
1385-94
|
Published |
2012-7-1
|
DOI |
10.1261/rna.031237.111
|
PII |
rna.031237.111
|
PMID |
22635404
|
PMC |
PMC3383969
|
MeSH |
Animals
Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / biosynthesis
Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics*
Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
Female
Gene Expression
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Genes, Switch*
Hermaphroditic Organisms / genetics*
Heterozygote
Male
Oocytes / growth & development*
Oogenesis / genetics
Oogenesis / physiology
Protein Binding
RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
Spermatogenesis / genetics
Spermatogenesis / physiology
Spermatozoa / growth & development*
|
IF |
4.32
|
Times Cited |
7
|
WOS Category
|
BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
|
Resource |
C.elegans |
tm2435
tm1312 |